Carnal comfort in WSU's 'Carrie'

By Noah Moore

Carrie, played by Claire Northcut, realizes the truth as blood covers her from above. Photo provided by Wright State University.

It takes a lot to earn the title of a flop, and Carrie: The Musical has carried this badge since its ill-fated debut in 1988. However, Wright State University's production breathes new life into the show, delivering a rousing, rambunctious spectacle that is as thrilling as its creators likely intended. With special effects, powerhouse vocals, and a generous dose of camp, Carrie at WSU's Festival Playhouse is a blood-soaked thrill ride.

Based on Stephen King's 1974 novel and the iconic Sissy Spacek-led film, Carrie remains a cultural phenomenon. The story follows a bullied, repressed teenage girl who discovers her telekinetic powers, set against a backdrop of teenage cruelty and religious fanaticism. In 1988, composer Michael Gore, lyricist Dean Pitchford, and bookwriter Lawrence D. Cohen attempted to bring this tale to the stage, but it closed after just 16 performances amidst mixed reviews. Despite its rocky start, Carrie has lived on through several reincarnations, finally making its way to WSU's stage in Dayton, Ohio.

Whatever lukewarm reception plagued the original production has no place in Jamie Cordes' dazzling reinterpretation. Cordes deftly balances the sincerity of Carrie's plight with the campy humor of an exaggerated high school setting. While updated to 2010 (as evidenced by a well-placed slide phone), the production wisely avoids over-asserting the period, allowing the story to shine. From timeless gym outfits to over-the-top prom dresses, the design choices feel rooted in the universal absurdity of teenage culture. Cordes also amplifies the show's thematic undercurrents, with the ensemble often lurking in the background, evoking the omnipresent feeling of surveillance and the rapid spread of rumors—a poignant touch for the social media era.

At the heart of this production is Claire Northcut's stunning performance as Carrie White. From her piercing opening cry of "That's not my name!" to her chilling transformation, Northcut delivers a star-making turn, balancing vulnerability and rage with electrifying stage presence. As Carrie's mother, Margaret White, Juliette Trumbull is equally mesmerizing. Her second-act solo, "When There's No One," injects raw emotion into the show’s lighter moments, while her stern and twisted love for Carrie creates a dynamic and unsettling power struggle. Together, Northcut and Trumbull create a relationship as fascinating as it is fraught.

Sue Snell, the show's narrator, is portrayed with quiet intensity by Emma Edwards. Her understated performance and expressive reactions provide a strong contrast to the chaos around her. Meanwhile, Aidan Edwards' Tommy Ross exudes charm and sincerity, making his connection with Carrie both convincing and bittersweet. His smooth tenor and genuine warmth add depth to a character that easily could have been one-note.

The ensemble deserves special recognition for their energy and individuality, with each member contributing small but meaningful touches to the world of the play. From the prom dance to their cruel pranks, their performances are both authentic and exaggerated in the best way, adding texture to the show's high school setting. Standouts include Sylvia Bordelois, Miranda Morrisette, and Ashley Ortel as the hilariously mean trio of Norma, Frieda, and Helen, who serve as comic relief without undercutting the story's darker tones.

Pam Knauert Lavarnway's scenic design transforms the stage into a grease-slicked high school gymnasium, complete with ominous windows, fly-in set pieces, and dynamic transitions. Kevin Nedberg and James Hendricks lead a technical team that delivers jaw-dropping special effects, from levitating chairs to slamming windows and even a flying actor. Zoë Still's costumes and expertly styled wigs round out the production, helping to ground the characters in a time and place without feeling overly constrained by it.

The production builds to its iconic climax—the infamous bucket of pig's blood—with such escalating energy that the moment feels less shocking and more inevitable. By the time the blood drenches Carrie, the audience is already on edge, primed for the chaos that follows. Wright State's Carrie: The Musical is a masterful blend of camp and carnage, proving that high school really is hell—bloody, bloody hell.

Carrie runs through November 17 at the Festival Playhouse at Wright State University. Tickets are available at wright.edu/events/carrie-musical.